Get the Need2Know newsletter in your inbox every morning! Sign up here! 

Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Wednesday, February 2, 2022:

Breaking Groundhog News: Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow. So buckle up…we're in for six more weeks of icy, cold winter.

PFIZER SEEKS APPROVAL

After getting a nudge from federal regulators, Pfizer and partner BioNTech have officially asked the FDA to authorize two doses of their COVID-19 vaccine for children under five years old. The companies made the request as they continue to explore whether three doses would be better, given that recent clinical trials showed that two doses didn't generate a sufficient immune response in that age group. The FDA's highly unusual move of urging the companies to seek approval despite this uncertainty comes as the omicron variant leads to higher infections across demographics. Notably, the under-five age group includes 19 million children. AP

PUTIN POINTS FINGER

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said the U.S. and NATO have "basically ignored" the country's security concerns and accused them of stoking war in Ukraine, even as he expressed a willingness to continue negotiations. The Russian leader pointed to NATO's open-door policy for potential membership as the main sticking point and sees the organization's eastward push as a major security concern. In the meantime, Russian troops continue to mass on the border, as the U.S. weighs whether to send more troops in addition to the 8,500 already on high alert. WSJ

FERTILIZER FIRE IN NORTH CAROLINA

More than 36 hours after a fire began at a fertilizer plant in North Carolina, thousands remain out of their homes. This morning officials reiterated the uncontrolled flames could still spark an explosion and it's too dangerous for fire crews to move in to stop it. The fire started Monday night and has so far caused no injuries or deaths, but officials are now waiting to make sure the fire doesn't reach the 500 tons of combustible ammonium nitrate stored at the site. A similar situation led to an explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant in 2013 that killed 13 people. WXII 12

U.S. TRIBES SETTLE OVER OPIOID EPIDEMIC

The legal reckoning over the opioid epidemic continues with another massive settlement — this one between the country's biggest drugmakers and U.S. Native American tribes. All federally recognized tribes are able to participate in the settlements, which total $590 million from Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson. The relief is long overdue, given the disproportionate impact opioids had on the Native American population, which suffered the highest rate of overdoses per capita in 2015, according to one study. NPR

TOM BRADY RETIRES

Love him or hate him, Tom Brady is going out on his own terms. The 44-year-old quarterback is officially retiring from the game after 22 seasons. With seven Super Bowl wins, including one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just last year, and numerous passing records, Brady broke the news in a lengthy Instagram post saying it was time to make room for the "next generation of dedicated and committed athletes." He now plans to commit his time to his health and wellness company and clothing line. We wish him luck. Or maybe not. For fans of teams that ended up on the other side of the Patriots' legendary winning streak, it could take a while. ESPN

EUROPE WEATHERS THE WEATHER

The worst might be over for Europe's energy crisis. Due to a combination of mild temperatures, strong gains in wind power, and a huge uptick in imports of liquefied natural gas, storage sites across the continent are beginning to recover from record lows, which some predicted would lead to a shortage of heating fuels in the dead of winter. The energy crunch isn't over yet though. Prices are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future, and the prospect of losing gas shipments from Russia amid tensions in Ukraine remains a possibility. BLOOMBERG

INDIA GETS INTO CRYPTO

India is finally getting into crypto after years of sitting on the sidelines. The country's central bank has announced that it's launching a "digital rupee," while also unveiling plans to tax the transfer of digital assets at 30 percent. That may sound steep, but India was previously considering an outright ban on crypto. By choosing taxation instead, the country is effectively clearing the way for the legalization of digital transactions. CNN

U.S. DEBT TOPS $30 TRILLION

Due to pandemic-related borrowing, the U.S. gross national debt crossed $30 trillion for the first time on Tuesday, well ahead of when that milestone was expected. The ominous-sounding sum would seem to suggest that America is dangerously indebted, but a growing number of economists argue that the debt load is manageable as long as interest rates remain low and the economy is growing — though rising interest rates could throw that into doubt. NY TIMES

We can relate to “dangerously indebted.”

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black History Month is here, and while many celebrate by reflecting on the past achievements of Black Americans, Cheddar is highlighting those who are making a difference today. Each day this month, Cheddar will release a short profile of someone who is a trailblazer in their industry. To kick off the series, we spoke to Ayesha Selden, a real estate guru and self-proclaimed economic activist who shares the lessons she has learned to help others build their own wealth. CHEDDAR

LEFTOVERS: NO MORE MONKEY BUSINESS

Kenya Airways is done with monkeys. The African airline had previously transported long-tailed macaques to the U.S. for use in laboratory experiments. Then one of their recent shipments ended up in a vehicle crash in rural Pennsylvania, which led to the escape of three monkeys and one woman getting sick. The escapees were eventually found and euthanized, but the incident caused an outcry among animal rights activists, who put pressure on the airline. AFRICANEWS

But what about our emotional support monkey?

Need2Know Podcast Note: The Need2Know podcast is taking a break for now. We're looking forward to bringing you more context and analysis on the big stories of the day in a few weeks. In the meantime, check out our archive on Apple or Spotify, or watch on YouTube, and send us your feedback!

Share:
More In Culture
W. Kamau Bell on Key Takeaway From 'We Need to Talk About Cosby' Docuseries
After premiering at the 2022 Sundance Festival, Showtime is slated to drop the four-part docuseries "We Need to Talk About Bill Cosby" this Sunday. Director W. Kamau Bell joined Cheddar to discuss the sensitive project and about coming to grips with the reality of who Bill Cosby is following the numerous allegations of sexual assault. Bell said the biggest takeaway from the project is that survivors are not only looking for the 84-year-old comedian to be held accountable, they also want to prevent future assaults. "Maybe the key thing to learn is how do we create a society that is more supportive and accepting particularly women in this case who are survivors of sexual assault," Bell said.
What To Know About 2022 Tax Season
Tax season is now underway, and it's going to be a bit different than in years past. For starters, the deadline is April 18, instead of the typical April 15th, and many Americans will need to account for advance child tax credit payments, the return of the recovery rebate credit, and a special break for charitable contributions, among other things. Brent Weiss, Co-Founder and certified financial planner at Facet Wealth, tells us what we need to know about filing our taxes this year, and when we can expect to receive our returns.
College Enrollment Down Nearly 7% Since The Pandemic
College enrollment has been on a steady decline for years, and the pandemic hasn't helped. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a 6.6% — more than 1 million students — drop in undergraduate enrollment, according to a recent report. Douglas Belkin, higher education reporter at the Wall Street Journal, joined Cheddar to discuss the long-term implications of students sitting out of college, and what institutions can do about it.
As Midterm Elections Loom, Biden's Approval Rating Continues Decline
As the midterm election looms, things aren't looking too promising for President Joe Biden. One year into his term as president, Biden is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president, threatening his party's control of the House in 2022. Brian Bennett, Senior White House Correspondent for TIME, joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
The Biden Administration: One Year Down, Three to Go
A full one year into his term as President of The United States, President Biden addressed the nation on Wednesday, facing questions on everything from inflation to chip shortages and covid-19. As Biden enters his second year in office, he is facing one of the lowest approval ratings of any modern-day president. Kate Davidson, Reporter, POLITICO joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
New San Diego Law Funnels Grocery Waste To Food Banks
San Diego has just implemented a new law that could set the stage for how the country deals with food waste. This new law hopes to make a dent in that. Businesses and groceries stores out in San Diego will need to put a plan in place to *donate edible food rather than toss it straight to the trash. Food Rescue Manager at Feeding San Diego, Kate Garret
Bronx Twin Parks Apartment Fire Leaves 17 People Dead
Earlier this month, New York City experienced one of the deadliest fires it has seen in decades. 17 people lost their lives in the Fordham section of the Bronx. This was due to a faulty space heater which reportedly began on the lower floor of the 120 unit building. Thanks to the F. D. N. Y. And heroic neighbors, many were able to get out in time. Unfortunately, the toxic smoke surged upwards through a safety door. Now, many advocates say negligence by policymakers and landlords has led to the deaths in black and brown communities from fires that honestly could have been preventable. Legislative Director of Citizen Action of New York, Rebecca Garrard, and the Chair of Journalism and New Media Studies at St. Joseph's College Theodore Hamm, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Clari Raises $225 Million to Deliver Predictable Revenue for Every Business
Revenue operations platform Clari recently raised $225 million in a Series F financing round led by Blackstone, bringing the company's valuation to more than $2.6 billion. Calri says more than 450 companies from around the world use its A.I.-powered platform to make their revenue operations more connected, efficient, and predictable. Clari CEO Andy Byrne joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Load More